Seeking greater efficiency and flexibility in its logistics operations, one of the largest retail chains in Latin America and the Caribbean decided to modernize its warehouse management with Infor WMS, selecting Cerca Technology as its implementation partner.
With a presence in 24 countries, this retailer is one of the largest chains in Latin America and the Caribbean. In El Salvador, Unicomer’s operations faced key logistical challenges: improving efficiency and process flexibility to directly impact customer satisfaction.
With a main distribution center and two peripheral warehouses, the company manages an extensive range of products. Despite having the right facilities to handle logistics, the existing warehouse management system (WMS) not only required an update but also limited the team’s ability to respond to market demands.
«We were looking for a system that would allow us to manage our processes according to our needs and develop our own logistics tools to ensure efficiency, compliance with our SLAs, and the operational continuity of our supply chain,» stated Jessica Menjívar, Head of the Distribution Center at Unicomer El Salvador.
Additionally, the company aimed to standardize its warehouse management system (WMS) across all the countries where it operates, requiring a flexible and scalable solution.
Logistics Transformation in Progress with Infor WMS
Infor WMS stood out for its multi-tenant cloud architecture and advanced functionalities such as Billing and Labor Management, designed to optimize high-volume operations. Its implementation, led by Cerca Technology, will enhance the efficiency and adaptability of the supply chain.
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The go-live process was carried out in phases, ensuring a controlled and effective transition. First, an inventory check was conducted at all physical locations to ensure data accuracy and alignment with the new system. Then, the implementation progressed gradually, starting with receiving, storage, and picking processes.
During the first week, Infor WMS enabled the execution of specific shipments, prioritizing high-turnover products and items requiring special preparation. In the second week, loading and dispatch processes were optimized, ensuring efficient route planning while continuing other operational activities.
The go-live process was led through close collaboration between Cerca Technology and Unicomer, ensuring an implementation aligned with strategic objectives. Gustavo Ocampo, Supply Chain Management Latam, emphasized:
«We are making significant progress thanks to a collaborative approach and the flexibility of the solution.»
The success of the implementation has depended not only on technology but also on change management and team training—key factors for effective system adoption. Pedro Flores, Logistics Manager, highlighted:
«Cerca Technology’s understanding of our processes has been crucial in ensuring success at every stage of the project.»
Key Achievements So Far
As part of the project timeline, the rollout of new distribution centers in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and other Central American countries is planned. These will be implemented directly by the Unicomer El Salvador team, made possible by Cerca Technology’s knowledge transfer methodology.
The implementation process continues, and the progress achieved so far already reflects the positive impact of this transformation. Some of the key highlights include:
- Reduced receiving process times.
- Increased picking efficiency through resource management strategies such as zone picking and batch picking.
- Improved productivity in sorting and picking across all designated positions for this process, regardless of location level.
- 100% inventory visibility, facilitating strategic decision-making.
- Optimized resource management through Infor WMS’s ability to analyze real-time data, enhancing task allocation and operational efficiency.
- Use of data mining techniques in Infor WMS to identify inventory behavior patterns, enabling more accurate planning and reducing operational costs.
Thanks to Cerca Technology’s leadership and the commitment of internal teams, this project is emerging as a benchmark for logistics modernization in the region.
Julián Lasso, Professional Services Manager at Cerca Technology, emphasized that this project not only optimizes the company’s logistics processes but also strengthens the leadership and innovation that have characterized the group for years. The combination of technology and knowledge transfer ensures a more efficient operation, adaptable to future challenges.
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